The Secret is in the PLAN!By Admin

As a mother of 4, wife, full time account manager, a daughter, and a friend, I am often asked,

“How do you do it? How do you get so much done?”

Well the quote above says it all.

It’s no accident…and it’s not always easy. But, it is worth it!

I have all the things to do that everyone else does. I have laundry to do, 40 hour work weeks, kids to get to events and doctor’s appointments, deadlines to meet, family events to contribute to. I’m not an heiress living in a gated mansion somewhere with servants to tend to my every need. It’s about as real as it gets!

So, ok, how do I do it? To begin with I get a grip on what needs to get done and by when. Then the planning can begin.

It does take a lot of information gathering, awareness and good communication to get the details to put into a plan…an intelligent plan…and sometimes the plan is where the true effort is required. Saving money on groceries for example. It takes time to clip coupons, go through the advertisement to choose the sale items, and plan the menu for the week. But, hey, it’s worth it! I save money, dinners are planned for a week and I don’t have to run to the store ten times because I forgot an ingredient.

There are three key sentiments that I keep at the forefront of my mind as I plan in order to THRIVE through my days.

#1—I want to be the best. No, I mean it…THE BEST…not good…STELLAR! It means something to me to be the best mother, account manager, wife, friend, daughter that I can be. I also want the best for all those around me. I really do care if others are happy. If my effort means it brings a bit more joy or comfort to someone else’s life, then I am on the right track. Too many times these days I see people too focused on THEIR OWN COMFORT and WHO CAN DO MORE FOR ME. It doesn’t work that way. I make the effort first, no matter what I may or may get out of it.

#2—My family, friends and my employer deserve my commitment to excellence. I chose to accept my job, I chose whom to create my life with and those I share my time with. Why would I ask them to accept anything less than my best and be happy with that? Yes, it benefits me. But that is not my main motive for doing what I do. I find the old principle of “you get what you give” to be true more often than not. It does make me feel good and look good, if those around me look good and feel good and get what they want…and I receive the benefits that go along with that…including their willingness to help to accomplish mutual goals, to accomplish tasks with ease, and of course enjoy our time together. It’s WIN/WIN!!

#3—With a good plan, I can take off and run with it, knowing that I mapped the course out. Knowing that with a good plan I am going to make less errors, use my time more wisely and get more accomplished—that puts me at ease!

The effort part then turns to that great motto, “JUST DO IT”. The greatest plans aren’t worth a hill of beans if ACTION is not taken. I have seen more people shoot themselves in the foot and accomplish absolutely nothing…not because they didn’t have a good plan…they didn’t ACT on the plan. They are distracted or procrastinate and if one finds they are choosing to avoid the plan…get to the bottom of it quickly. You know how bad it feels when you don’t get your “TO-DO LIST” all checked off or the laundry continues to pile up. It becomes that much harder to get going.

Of course, another key to how I personally get so much done…I’m not afraid to ask for HELP. If one asks for help, it doesn’t mean they “can’t handle it” or that they are “weak”, it means they are resourceful and SMART! Why make it harder than it has to be? Why waste time? I delegate where I can, sometimes pay to get work done—including buying cookies instead of making them myself, and I ask for assistance with things I don’t know how to do.

My family, friends, and co-workers have come through for me so many times—willingly…because they know where my heart is and they see my focus. I don’t know what I’d do without them!

In conclusion…with a focus on being the best you can be, realizing that we have an obligation to give others are best, and taking ACTION…anyone can make REAL LIFE look effortless and way more enjoyable!!